Tuesday, December 20, 2016

December 14, 1966 was an extremely significant date in the history of Glessner
House Museum. It was on that date that
the deed for the house was filed for record with the Cook County Recorder of
Deeds, officially transferring the house to the newly formed Chicago School of
Architecture Foundation, and thus securing the future of H. H. Richardson’s
masterpiece of urban residential design.

On December 14,
2016, exactly 50 years later, nearly 200 people gathered at the Chicago Club
for a special gala celebration to mark that anniversary by honoring our past,
celebrating our future, and setting the stage for our next 50 years. A number of individuals involved with the
house in its early years were present, including four of our founders – Wayne
Benjamin, Wilbert Hasbrouck, Dirk Lohan, and Ben Weese.

Susan and Wayne Benjamin

Early docents, staff, and board members
renewed acquaintances and shared their memories of why Glessner House Museum is
important to them. The event netted
$70,000 – twice the amount that was needed to purchase the house in 1966!

Gala co-chairs Cynthia and Ben Weese

The gala was
underwritten by a generous grant from The Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead
Trust. Dirk Lohan served as Honorary
Gala Chair, and Ben and Cynthia Weese were Gala Co-Chairs.

Steve and Marilyn ScottElliott and Jane OtisAllan and Angela Vagner

At 6:30pm,
Executive Director and Curator William Tyre welcomed everyone and noted the
significance of the occasion, acknowledging special guests including our
founders, and several members of the Glessner family who had traveled from
Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Four individuals
were honored with awards featuring a handcrafted replica of a portion of the
wrought iron grille on the front door – one of the most iconic design features
of the house.

Jessica Caffery accepting award from Bonnie McDonald

The first award
was presented to Toni Preckwinkle by board member Bonnie McDonald, president of
Landmarks Illinois. McDonald noted how
Preckwinkle had been mentored early in her career by Leon Despres, long time
alderman, known as the “liberal conscience of Chicago” during his two decades
on the City Council. Despres and his
wife Marian were two of the individuals who provided funding to purchase
Glessner House in 1966. Preckwinkle was
in Boston at a conference, but recorded her acceptance noting that Despres
shared a valuable piece of information with her, “There is no end to the good
you can do as long as you don’t care who gets the credit.” The award was accepted on her behalf by
Jessica Caffery, Director of Real Estate Management for Cook County, who noted
Preckwinkle’s commitment to the preservation and adaptive reuse of the old Cook
County Hospital building.

Jack Tribbia accepting award from John Waters

The second award
went to Jack Tribbia, and was presented by board member John Waters, an
architect with the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. Jack Tribbia is the President of the
Restoration Division of Berglund Construction and has been involved in the
preservation and restoration of many of the most important buildings in the
Chicagoland area ranging from the Museum of Science and Industry to the Shedd
Aquarium, and from the Sullivan Center to Farnsworth House. Jack served as a board member at Glessner
from 2005 until 2011, and has remained active since that time, providing
valuable consultation and advice on a variety of building projects.

Ald. Pat Dowell accepting award from Mary Kay Marquisos

Pat Dowell,
Alderman of the Third Ward, received the next award, presented by board member
Mary Kay Marquisos, former Senior Director of Communications with the
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.
Marquisos noted how Dowell has been a strong voice for community-based
development, constituent engagement, and transparency. Dowell has been an advocate for historic
preservation and has landmarked more than half a dozen buildings and districts
in her ward. Mostly recently she was deeply
involved in the massive $132 million restoration of the Rosenwald Court
Apartments at Michigan Avenue and 47th Street.

Bob Irving accepting award from Pauline Saliga

The Lifetime
Service Award was presented to Bob Irving by board member Pauline Saliga,
Executive Director of the Society of Architectural Historians. Irving, a retired Professor of Humanities at
the Illinois Institute of Technology, joined the first docent class at Glessner
House in the spring of 1971 and was one of 33 to complete the rigorous training
course that June, being trained to give tours of Glessner House and a walking
tour of Chicago School buildings downtown.
In the early 1980s, he developed a new walking tour called the
“Riverwalk” which evolved into the now world-famous CAF River Cruise, one of
the top tourist attractions in the city.
Irving has served continuously as a docent at Glessner House for 45
years, his encyclopedic knowledge and quick wit making him a visitor favorite
for decades.

Board president Barbara Gordon

Following the
presentation, board president Barbara Gordon provided the closing remarks,
noting how it is the individuals who have been involved with the museum during
its first 50 years that have kept the site engaging and relevant. She noted:

“As we look
ahead to our next fifty years and beyond, we are not content to merely rest on
our laurels. At a time when many
historic house museums struggle, the opportunities for Glessner House Museum
are greater now than ever before.
Dedicated board, staff, docents, and supporters will help us envision
and guarantee a bright future through new initiatives that will broaden our
audience and create a self-sustaining and relevant organization well into the
21st century. We encourage
all of you to join us in the exciting work that lies ahead, as we ensure that
the legacy entrusted to our care continues to grow and thrive in the years to
come.”

Judith and Dick SpurginBarbara Badger and Robert Kudder

All attendees received a copy of the just published 50 Moments: Highlights From the First Fifty Years of Glessner House Museum 1966-2016 authored by William Tyre. The book is now available in the museum store.

The gala was a fitting
way to close the celebration of our 50th anniversary, as well as launch the
first day of our next 50 years!

About Glessner House Museum

Glessner House Museum engages diverse audiences in exploring urban life and design through the preservation and interpretation of the architecture of Henry Hobson Richardson and the historic home of John and Frances Glessner.

The Museum is open to visitors for guided tours Wednesday through Sunday at 11:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm. Tours last approximately 75 minutes. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for children ages 5 and under. Wednesdays are free for all.